Rothko in Florence: major exhibition at Palazzo Strozzi explores the artist’s ties to the city

Rothko in Florence: exhibition overview

Rothko in Florence is a dedicated exhibition presenting more than 70 works by Mark Rothko, centered at Palazzo Strozzi with two satellite displays in other historic Florentine sites. Curated by Christopher Rothko and Elena Geuna, the show maps the artist’s development from early figurative pieces through the defining color-field paintings to his late-period compositions.

What to see

The main route at Palazzo Strozzi follows Rothko’s key phases: early works that echo figurative and Renaissance compositional frameworks, neo-surrealist pieces that lead to fluid forms, the emergence of the Multiforms, and the large abstract canvases that use light and color to evoke deep emotional responses. Loans come from major international institutions and private collections.

• Over 70 works, many shown in Italy for the first time.
• Five works exhibited at the Museo di San Marco alongside frescoes by Beato Angelico.
• Two works in the Vestibule of the Medicea Laurenziana Library, engaging with Michelangelo’s architectural space.
• Loans from institutions such as MoMA, the Metropolitan Museum, Tate, Centre Pompidou, the National Gallery of Art and the Guggenheim Bilbao.

Why visit

The exhibition offers both a historical reconstruction of Rothko’s stylistic evolution and a dialogue with Italian artistic tradition that fascinated him during his first visit to Florence in 1950. The color-field canvases invite slow, contemplative viewing, while the site-specific displays highlight the relationship between painting and architecture.

Practical tips for visitors

• Estimated time: allow 1.5–2 hours for the main itinerary, plus extra time for the San Marco and Laurenziana stops.
• Accessibility: check the museum’s website for access information and guided tours.
• Photography: follow in-gallery rules; flash is typically prohibited.
• Further information: exhibition labels and visitor materials are usually available to guide your understanding of the chronological and thematic sections.

Key works and themes

Highlights include early pieces such as Interior (1936), examples of the Multiforms, major abstract canvases from the late 1940s and 1950s, and later series like Black and Gray (1969–1970). The display also traces Rothko’s architectural studies for projects such as the Seagram murals and the Harvard Murals, emphasising his engagement with portals and threshold spaces.

Exhibition period: 14 March – 23 August 2026.

For the latest information on tickets, opening hours and guided visits, consult the hosting institution’s official channels.